GOA

Goa
is located on the West coast of India between the co-ordinates 140 53' 57''
North to 150 47'59'' North latitude and 730 40' 54" East to 740 20'
11" East longitude with a geographical area of 3702 sq.km. It is bounded
by the districts of Sindhudurga (Maharasthra) in the North, Belgaum &
Dharwad (Karnataka) along the East, North Kanara (Karnataka) in the South
and Arabian Sea in the West. The Western Ghat region runs along the Eastern
length of the state and consists of a wide belt of rich forest, with abundant
bio-diversity of flora and fauna. The intermediate region that lies between
the high Western Ghat region and the Coastal plains is called the mid land
region, with distinct geographical and ecological characteristics.

The
State of Goa hosts a diversity of Ecosystems which comprise Coastal, Mangrove,
Estuarine Grassland, Wetland and Western Ghat Habitats. Each ecosystem is
a complex mosaic of a diversity of species: 44 major mammals, 74 resident
bird species, 23 reptiles and 130 major plant species.

Forests
account for 33% of the total area of the State and they play an important
role in maintaining the ecological balance of the region.

The
initiative of the Government to promote Eco-tourism have also resulted in
added efforts to conserve our natural ecosystems and traditional agricultural
ecosystems.